Krasnodar’s far western ring road, soon to become a crucial segment of the M-4 Don corridor, is on track to open earlier than initially planned, with potential operations beginning six months ahead of the original schedule. Reports indicate progress and provide a clear view of how this route will integrate with the broader southern highway network. The path to completion has continued through varying weather, which has not deterred engineers and construction crews from advancing the project as conditions allowed.
In mid-2023, the project team anticipated the possibility of traffic flow starting to bypass Krasnodar, enabling through travel to proceed more efficiently. Forecasters and project managers noted that favorable weather windows facilitated continued work on the highway, helping to sustain construction momentum and reduce expected delays. The overall schedule has been influenced by seasonal factors, yet the pace remains steady as teams push forward toward the anticipated opening phase.
Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin reported that about 90 percent of the ring road surface has been completed with asphalt, amounting to approximately 46 kilometers of the total 51.2 kilometers now paved. This substantial progress marks a significant milestone in the plan to deliver a durable, high-capacity route that will support growing traffic demands in the region and beyond.
Across roughly 95 percent of the project, foundational work such as subgrade construction and the rebuilding of essential engineering communications has been finished. These foundational elements lay the groundwork for a smooth and reliable ride, ensuring resilience against weather-related wear and tear and providing a solid platform for future maintenance and upgrades.
A notable feature of the construction is the installation of a reinforced concrete fence with balustrade along a median strip measuring 1.14 meters in height, spanning 30.2 kilometers. This safety-focused barrier design reflects the intent to minimize cross-traffic movements and enhance driver protection on this new corridor as traffic volumes rise once the road opens to the public.
Current project activity involves a workforce of about 850 personnel, supported by 110 pieces of specialized equipment and 135 vehicles. This level of operation underscores a robust, concerted effort to advance the ring road toward usable status while coordinating logistics, materials, and safety protocols across a broad stretch of terrain.
The far western ring road is being constructed without traffic signals or at-grade intersections, a design choice aimed at maintaining uninterrupted flow once traffic is allowed to travel along the new route. Access to the ring road is planned from the M-4 Don highway near the village of Maryanskaya, providing a direct connection to one of Russia’s principal southern corridors and enabling easier access for regional and international freight corridors.
The M-4 Don itself stands as a major artery for the south of Russia, operated under the responsibility of the state enterprise Avtodor. Its role in the national transport network is pivotal, with ongoing projects designed to boost capacity, reduce travel times, and improve safety across critical segments of the route. In recent remarks, Khusnullin highlighted the completion of the road section linking Mariupol and Donetsk, describing it as a fully functional four-lane highway that dramatically shortens the travel time between these cities to under an hour, illustrating how targeted highway projects can reshape regional connectivity and economic opportunity.